Chapter 16 4. Madrid·Unbelievable
The first time he won the soup cup, it was a kind of pure joy; but the first time he reached the top of the World Championships, it was an incredible momentary blankness.
Since 2004, I have been ranked No. 1 in the world for two and a half consecutive years, and I have also won countless open championships. Some people call me the "uncrowned king". In Athens in 2004 and Anaheim in 2005, I led most of the races, but in the end they fell short.At one point, I was even afraid to hear people call me "Super Dan", because "Super" seems to be not supposed to lose.
The time came to 2006.In the first half, we defended the Thomas Cup.While preparing for the World Championships, an episode happened.Once I violated the team rules with some small players, the coach was furious. Before thinking about how to punish me, the coach asked those small players to pack up their things and go home in front of me.I immediately stepped forward and took full responsibility. I only hope that the coach can give a few small players a chance to reform.At that time, because I was about to go to the Malaysia and Chinese Taipei Opens, I made a "military order": If I can get back two championships, I hope the coach can give me a lighter sentence; if not, I am willing to accept any form of punishment.
The result is a champion, a runner-up, I must accept the punishment.It was a Sunday, the whole team had a holiday, and I went to the training hall alone, and spent a day sweeping and wiping the entire arena, and then re-picked every badminton used by the whole team for multi-ball training Tidy up.At that time, while I was working, all I could think of was the image of Hanamichi Sakuragi cleaning the basketball hall.Maybe, I am also such a "love-hate" image.
We returned to Jinjiang for closed training again to prepare for the Madrid World Championships in September.Just before the World Championships, Bao Chunlai just won his first championship in 55 years in Seoul, South Korea.With this confidence and good luck, he hopes to go further in the World Championships.Bao and Chen Jin, Li Zongwei, and Li Xuan were in the upper half, while I was in the lower half with Chen Hong, Gade, and Taufik.
I have been preparing for a tough battle, but I did not wait for Taufik in the semifinals, but my teammate Chen Hong.Then in the final, Bao Chunlai was waiting for me.
Previously, Bao Chunlai, who had made it to the final with Kesonei, Li Zongwei, and Li Xuanyi, reached the peak of confidence.Sure enough, in the first game of the final, he took the lead 21-18, forcing me to have nowhere to go.I could feel the determination that Bao showed in that game.After switching sides, he still didn't give me too many chances, and the score was tied at 17.Fortunately, at this time I played a small climax and scored 4 points to tie the score.We didn't have side coaches for that game.Coach Li Yongbo was invited by CCTV to serve as the guest commentator for that game.Later I heard that he said after the final set: "Based on my understanding of Lin Dan, Lin Dan usually has a higher probability of winning in a three-set match." Meaning, but that's not really my style of play.Losing a game first will bring me a lot of trouble, and it will also make me feel more pressure. If I can easily beat my opponent 2-0, why should I not do it?
However, the result just happened to fulfill Director Li's prediction - I ended the battle 21-12 in the final set when Xiao Bao's physical fitness declined.
The moment the ball hit the ground, I didn't know how to greet my first individual world champion.Everything happened so fast that I didn't even have time to react.I lay down on the ground, covered my face with my clothes, and didn't get up for a long, long time.On the other side of the net, Bao Chunlai was paying tribute to the audience.I heard from a friend that the live signal of the final was not switched back until then because of the news break.When they saw this scene in front of the TV, they almost thought it was Xiao Bao who won the championship.
It all happened so quickly that for a while my mind went blank.It turns out that this is the so-called happiness.It is the first time in the history of the Chinese badminton team to win the men's singles championship, second and third place.At that time, my brother Chen Hong defeated the defending champion Taufik and broke into the semi-finals, which removed an obstacle for me to finally win the championship.Therefore, some people say that my championship is a bit "sitting on the ground".In fact, I didn't play easily. Sometimes, the difficulty facing my teammates was even greater.It is not easy to let go of the game, and the pressure is even greater when the key points or the scores are close.The semi-final with Chen Hong and the final with Bao Chunlai both played three rounds.I am also very nervous.I won the game, but I didn't feel hearty and comfortable. I didn't even dare to call during the game. It always felt a little weird.
World Championship has been my dream for so many years.Although I won the championship at the end of 2005, it was not convincing enough.After waiting for a year, I finally took my chance.After recovering, I told myself that I am the world champion, a well-deserved champion, this is very important.
Because I faced my teammates in the final, winning the championship didn't make me too excited, it just made me feel at ease.I remember when 8 entered 4, Chen Jin was eliminated, but after returning that night, he slept soundly.And my feeling after winning the championship was exactly the same as his that night-all this is finally over, and my hanging heart has finally landed.
In the 2005 Anaheim World Championships, Xie Xingfang, who played first, did her best and won the first World Championships in her career.But then, I let her accept one of my fiascos with me.Madrid is A Fang's defending match, and Zhang Ning is still facing Zhang Ning in the final.We encouraged each other before the final, but we basically didn't talk about the ball, because we believed in each other's ability to play their games well.
Xie Xingfang witnessed the passionate moment when I won the world championship for the first time.But just like last time, we didn't have time to share each other's joy, so Ah Fang had to stand on the field.She also played very well in that final.It's a pity that I didn't get to watch her game on the court.After I was busy with the press conference and doping control, I just caught up with her award ceremony.so far so good!
We have won championships together at the Open many times, and this time we both reached the top at the World Championships, finally fulfilling our long-cherished wish.However, this first time later became the only time.A few years later, Ah Fang lamented that it would be great if the Olympic Games were held in 2006.I understand what she means, the 2006 World Championships was an unforgettable moment in our careers.
God is a wonderful screenwriter.He did not schedule Lin Dan's reign in Athens in 2004, nor in Anaheim in 2005, but in Madrid in 2006.He let Ah Fang and I climb to the summit successively on the same site, creating an incredible night for us.
This championship started my three consecutive championships in 2006, 2007 and 2009.Although I teamed up with Lee Chong Wei in 2011 to dedicate a classic duel, this is the fourth time I have stood on the top podium of men's singles.But this championship in Madrid means a lot to me.This is a step that I have to go through to maturity, and it is also a step towards a true leader.
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